Iron Mountain forward James Chartier (40) outjumps Hancock’s Myles Lewis (24), as the two hoopsters battle for a rebound during a boys varsity basketball contest at Mountaineer Gym on Friday night. Chartier chipped in two points in Iron Mountain’s convincing 73-40 win over the visiting Bulldogs in the clash between the two West Pac Conference rivals. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

POWERS — The matchup between the North Central and Norway boys varsity basketball teams on Friday night held much intrigue. First, it was a battle between two Division 4 top-five teams with the Jets ranked second and the Knights ranked fifth. And second, it was a preview of a possible district game between two Skyline Central Conference teams capable of winning the district.

In this contest, North Central took a 11-point lead early, stumbled a bit in the second quarter and eventually prevailed 52-36 at North Central High School.

“Great battle by both teams tonight,” Jets coach Mike Malone said. “Both teams played with heart and intensity. We were able to get up early but they battled back. Their pressure defense is very good at creating chaos.”

“I thought our effort was there tonight,” Norway coach Jeff Gallino said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well, which obviously hurt us. Credit to them, they made it difficult on us to get good looks.”

North Central (14-2) ran out to a 17-6 lead after eight minutes, but Norway (11-5) answered with an 11-2 run in the second quarter to pull within two at halftime.

The Jets were able to re-establish their level of play in the third quarter.

Malone credited guard Luke Gorzinski’s play.

“Luke Gorzinski had a great game tonight,” said Malone said of his junior, who led North Central with 12 points. “We struggled to score without him in the game.”

With Gorzinski settling things, North Central outscored Norway 33-19 in the second half.

Connor Florenski and Jesse Sampson recorded 10 points each, while Brady Anderson added eight for the Jets.

Nolan Amundson led the Knights with 19 points.

“Hopefully, we can clean up some stuff and make a push heading into March,” Gallino said.

Mountaineers crush Bulldogs in 73-40 rout

IRON MOUNTAIN — Iron Mountain took quick control of its West Pac Conference boys varsity basketball game Friday night against Hancock early and left Mountaineer Gym with a 73-40 rout of the Bulldogs.

Oskar Kangas paced the Mountaineers (12-4) with 25 points, which included 12 of 14 from the foul line. Joey Colavecchi chipped in with 14 points and Ian Marttila added 13.

“It was a good win,” IM coach Harvey “Bucky” Johnson said. “Kids played good.”

Johnson’s team ran out to a 22-5 lead after the first quarter and extended that to 41-15 at intermission. Iron Mountain tacked on another 20 points in the third quarter and coasted to the victory.

Matthew Colavecchi scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds, five of them offensive, in his first start for the Mountaineers. Gerald Sampoll Torres recorded six assists and three steals, while Joey Colavecchi grabbed seven rebounds and Kangas blocked four shots.

Host Nordics edge C-N on special night

FELCH TOWNSHIP — Parents Night at any prep sporting event brings a special vibe, especially for families. But the North Dickinson boys varsity basketball team’s 2022 Parents Night was that and more.

First, the Nordics eked out a 58-56 victory over Carney-Nadeau in a Skyline Central Conference contest Friday night at North Dickinson High School for their second win of the season.

And second, senior Maximus Mattson, who has been injured all year, was able to sink a hoop to begin the game, at the suggestion of Carney-Nadeau coach Michael Polfus.

“It was a gentleman’s agreement,” explained ND coach Chris Mattson, Max’s father. “We would win the tip and we would throw it to Max and he would score a bucket. Then we allowed them to score.

“It was very classy, a very kind gesture and true sportsmanship,” Mattson continued. “It meant a lot to Max.”

After the unique start, the teams engaged in a strange first half, with the Wolves (4-11) scoring 19 points in the opening quarter to take a nine-point lead. But the Nordics (2-14) surrendered just one point in the second quarter to pull even at 20-all at halftime.

The Nordics continued their momentum into the second half.

“We had a great second half,” Mattson said. “We shored up our defense and played a real nice third quarter. It was a battle in the fourth. They hit six 3s and they didn’t go away.”

With the game tied at 53 with under a minute to play, North Dickinson junior Colin LaFave made the play of the game, driving into the lane and hitting a floating shot while getting fouled. He nailed the ensuing free throw to give his team a 56-53 lead.

“Biggest shot of the game,” Mattson said.

North Dickinson then got a defensive stop and the Wolves fouled Steven Holmes. The sophomore sank both foul shots to put his team up five with six seconds left. Carney-Nadeau then hit a triple to account for the final score.

Holmes played the game of his young varsity career, scoring 21 points to pace the Nordics. He connected on all seven of his free throws.

LaFave chipped in with 14 points and Antonio Inglese added 11.

North Dickinson’s 58 points were 15 more than its previous high mark, set in the opening game of the season.

L’Anse trounces Wykons 63-37

IRON RIVER — L’Anse singed the nets for 26 points in the opening quarter and went on to defeat West Iron County 63-37 in a non-conference boys varsity basketball game on Friday night at Charles Greenlund Gymnasium.

“We gave L’Anse too many open 3-point shots and weakside rebounds,” WIC coach Curt Olexa said.

The Purple Hornets (9-8) hit seven triples in the game, led by Shawn Gibbons who had three. Gibbons topped all scorers with 23 points.

The bright spot for West Iron (1-14) was the play of freshman Elijah Oberlin, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Oberlin scored 16 of his points in the second half.

“We did get a look at the underclass student-athletes,” Olexa said. “We coaches liked the hustle and effort they put in, so we will build off that.”

Broncos break free from Trojans

CRYSTAL FALLS — The Bark River-Harris boys varsity basketball team expanded its six-point lead after the third quarter en route to a 69-53 non-conference victory over Forest Park on Friday night at Eddie Chambers Gymnasium.

The Trojans (6-10) cut a 16-point deficit to six by outscoring the Broncos 17-7 in the third quarter. But BR-H (7-9) bounced back with a 23-point fourth to nail down the victory.

Forest Park finished with four players in double figures, led by Sam McKissack’s 13. Kevin Giuliani and Gaven Rintala contributed 11 each and Felix Quevedo recorded 10.

Jerry DeRoche can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 244, or at jderoche@ironmountaindailynews.com.